February 5th, 2004, 02:18 AM
What's worm will do...
A worm is a self-reproducing program that does not infect other programs as a virus will, but instead creates copies of itself, and these create even more copies.
Worms are usually seen on networks and on multi-processing operating systems, where the worm will create copies of itself that are also executed. Each new copy will create more copies quickly clogging the system.
The so-called APRANET/INTERNET "Virus" was actaully a worm. It created copies of itself through the network to its knees. It did not infect other programs as a virus would, but simply kept creating copies of itself that would then execute and try to spread to other machines.
Some newer macro viruses also send their infected documents over the internet to others who then infect their systems and spread the virus futher. Some have classed these as worms. However, because these progams require a host in order to spread (even though they send themselves and the host over a network) Computer Knowledge (and most anti-virus researches) puts these beasts into the virus categories can get blurred.
The newer script worms don't help clarify the classification issue. Many of these are sent as a VisualBasic Script (VBS) file attached to an E-mail message. If you click on the attachment to open it the script runs and will often send the script to addresses book; thus spreading itself. Technically, these would be worms but are often called viruses.
February 5th, 2004, 03:16 AM
February 5th, 2004, 03:17 AM
That's what CKnow.com also thinks about worms...
February 5th, 2004, 03:38 AM
Sorry dude, I don't mean to... I got this site from cknow.com..
February 5th, 2004, 03:43 AM
It's ok man, no sweat. Just be sure next time to cite where you got your information from. It's only common courtesy, considering they put so much time into the work, ya know? Thanks for being a good sport.
February 5th, 2004, 05:31 AM
Worms can also be viruses. As seen in Bugbear, it's a worm and a virus. Symantec classifys it as both. Worms can do the same exact thing as a virus or more. All a worm is is a program that can copy itself, and attempt to spread without the user knowing. It can spread in email, kazza, and other methods.
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